New seasons provide new opportunities, which create avenues for players to break out. The 2025-26 season will be no different, and in this article, The Hockey News take a look at the strongest candidates to make a name for themselves or ascend into stardom on the Metro Division teams.
Carolina Hurricanes: Jackson Blake
At just 21, right winger Jackson Blake has already shown an affinity for coming up in the clutch, and the fact he elevated his game during the playoffs for the Canes is a great sign. The son of former NHLer Jason Blake is coming off a solid rookie season and could easily take on more responsibility next year. He is a tenacious winger who plays bigger than his 5-foot-11, 180-pound frame. True, the Canes are deep up front, and Blake will likely stay in the bottom six, but don’t be surprised if he cracks the 20-goal mark.
Columbus Blue Jackets: Jet Greaves
Goaltending was Columbus’ downfall in 2024-25, but Jet Greaves was stellar in 11 NHL games. Greaves is undersized but makes up for it with his athleticism and aggressiveness in the crease. He won a weekly first-star honor in April, thanks to a stretch in which he went 3-0-0 with a .968 save percentage. Despite playing just 11 games, Greaves finished in the top 15 in goals saved above expected. No other Jackets goalie ranked in the top 75. Greaves, 24, has his teammates’ trust and is ready for a bigger role.
New Jersey Devils: Simon Nemec
While the playoffs were a letdown for the Devils, they did at least get a signature double-OT goal from blueliner Simon Nemec against Carolina. It’s been an up-and-down existence for Nemec since New Jersey picked him second overall in 2022, as he played fewer NHL games this year than he did as a rookie, when he had 19 points in 2023-24. But defensemen take time to develop, and if Nemec, 21, can use that late confidence booster to build momentum, the Devils will have another ace in their back end.
New York Islanders: Isaiah George
With a new GM in Mathieu Darche, the Islanders will be interesting to watch this summer. New York has the No.1 pick in the draft, but will that player (Islanders selected Matthew Schaefer) go straight to the NHL? Either way, the Isles need a pick-me-up, and blueliner Isaiah George fits the bill. George is an excellent skater with 33 games worth of NHL reps under his belt from last season, which he split between Long Island and the AHL. He has a solid frame and comes from a great OHL London program – both big pluses.